WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 - THE ILLOGIC OF IT ALL (CHRISTMAS)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 - THE ILLOGIC OF IT ALL (CHRISTMAS)

So, looking at the Christmas Story.

The Gospel According to Luke, written in roughly 85 C.E. (± five to ten years), most likely during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, is known in its earliest form from extensive papyri fragments dating to the early or middle of the third century. 

The date of birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources, but most biblical scholars generally accept a date of birth between 6 BC and 4 BC, the year in which King Herod died.

So, extracting - it is generally accepted that Jesus lived to age 33.  So, if we pick the date 4BC (Before the Common Era), he would have been crucified about 29 CE (Common Era).  If the scholars are right, the date of Luke’s writing is about 85 CE - or about 56 years after Jesus’ death.  

The Gospel of Luke is the common and best description of the birth of Jesus - that is, Christ’s Mass - or Christmas.  Assuming (without proof) that Luke was about twenty years old at the crucifixion would put Luke at about age 76 when he wrote the Gospel of Luke.  I’m not sure I can fully describe what happened in my life 56 years ago.  

Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God - so if Luke were to write his version of the Gospel today, the Holy Spirit would inspire him to write it correctly (including quotes from Jesus).

It is a matter of faith.  Remember playing “telephone” - where the person starting the message passes it on to the next person, and eventually, the last person tells the message they got.  Could the Christmas message and story be enhanced over the years?  (We have drummer boys and snow (the Bible doesn’t say when the Christ child was born).  

We have magi, astrologers, and wise men traveling because of the star - and yet seemingly no locals commented on the star.  Can you imagine riding camels hundreds of miles (one source suggested about 900 miles.) I used to walk about 4 miles an hour (15-minute miles).  In a day (with stops for meals and setting up and taking down camp), they might get 25 miles in a day.  They had to travel with food, tents, and various gear.  

But - it is the magic of Christmas that we enjoy.  

*****

Not that a man in a red-suit can get down chimneys with a huge pack of toys - but that’s another story.  

But, however it did occur, I believe in a God who loves us completely - and it might have been this way!!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, (C), DECEMBER 13, 2023